Morning Service – Colin Jones

Sermon Bible Passage

A Promised Ruler From Bethlehem

Marshal your troops now, city of troops,for a siege is laid against us.They will strike Israel’s ruleron the cheek with a rod.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,though you are small among the clans of Judah,out of you will come for meone who will be ruler over Israel,whose origins are from of old,from ancient times.”

Therefore Israel will be abandoneduntil the time when she who is in labor bears a son,and the rest of his brothers returnto join the Israelites.

He will stand and shepherd his flockin the strength of the Lord,in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.And they will live securely, for then his greatnesswill reach to the ends of the earth.

And he will be our peacewhen the Assyrians invade our landand march through our fortresses.We will raise against them seven shepherds,even eight commanders,who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,the land of Nimrod with drawn sword.He will deliver us from the Assyrianswhen they invade our landand march across our borders.

The remnant of Jacob will bein the midst of many peopleslike dew from the Lord,like showers on the grass,which do not wait for anyoneor depend on man.The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,in the midst of many peoples,like a lion among the beasts of the forest,like a young lion among flocks of sheep,which mauls and mangles as it goes,and no one can rescue.Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies,and all your foes will be destroyed.

“In that day,” declares the Lord,

“I will destroy your horses from among youand demolish your chariots.I will destroy the cities of your landand tear down all your strongholds.I will destroy your witchcraftand you will no longer cast spells.I will destroy your idolsand your sacred stones from among you;you will no longer bow downto the work of your hands.I will uproot from among you your Asherah poleswhen I demolish your cities.I will take vengeance in anger and wrathon the nations that have not obeyed me.”